Modular cleaning systems

ABSTRACT

A cleaning device for combining the use of a mop or broom and a sponge. The modular cleaning system for broom and mops will allow a user to lower a connected sponge when desired. The sponge is easily attachable and detachable from the broom or mop. The device eliminates the need for a user to bend down or strain their back while cleaning. The sponge is retractable via a lever.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following includes information that may be useful in understandingthe present invention(s). It is not an admission that any of theinformation provided herein is prior art, or material, to the presentlydescribed or claimed inventions, or that any publication or documentthat is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of cleaning devicesand more specifically relates to a modular cleaning system.

2. Description of Related Art

A broom is a cleaning tool consisting of usually stiff fibers (oftenmade of materials such as plastic, hair, or corn husks) attached to, androughly parallel to, a cylindrical handle, the broomstick. It iscommonly used in combination with a dustpan. A mop (such as a floor mop)is a mass or bundle of coarse strings or yarn, etc., or a piece ofcloth, sponge, or other absorbent material, attached to a pole or stick.It is used to soak up liquid, for cleaning floors and other surfaces, tomop up dust, or for other cleaning purposes.

Both a mops and brooms are found in most households. Mops and brooms areproducts that we use daily to clean homes and offices. They sweep thedirt from location A to B, but when there's something stuck on the floorthey don't help much. People tend to use either a sponge or somethingelse while they sweep or wash the floors. However, the problem is, auser must to bend down. Often times cleaning using this method cancreate back pains. This is not desirable.

Several attempts have been made to solve the above-mentioned problemssuch as those found in U.S. Pat. No. 7,584,518 to Fred I. Morad; U.S.Pat. No. 7,398,576 to James G. Horian; U.S. Pat. No. 3,157,901 to HughMurphy; U.S. Pat. No. 6,336,240 to Christopher J. Laux; U.S. Pat. No.6,725,494 to Robert A. Cann; U.S. Pat. No. 5,920,942 to Harold Footer;U.S. Pat. No. 3,041,651 to George W. Jardine; U.S. Pat. No. 3,054,127 toHarold A. Petsch; U.S. Pat. No. 2,715,237 to Joseph H. Trindl; and U.S.Pat. No. 2,740,146 to Sidney P. Vaughn. This art is representative ofcleaning devices. However, none of the above inventions and patents,taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the inventionas claimed.

Preferably, a cleaning device should provide users with a combination ofa sponge and a broom for efficient household cleaning use and, yet wouldoperate reliably and be manufactured at a modest expense. Thus, a needexists for a reliable modular cleaning system to avoid theabove-mentioned problems.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known cleaningdevice art, the present invention provides a novel modular cleaningsystem. The general purpose of the present invention, which will bedescribed subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a device thatcombines broom and mop functions for efficient use.

The present invention is a convenient way to combine a sponge to broomsand mops. The sponge may easily modularly attach and detach from onebroom or mop to another. The modular cleaning system for brooms and mopswill allow a user to lower a connected sponge when desired for cleaning.A handle allows a user to lower and lift the sponge. The handle is to bean add-on component and therefore not permanently connected to thestick, but rather can be connected and disconnected securely. The handlemay comprise plastic or other such suitable material.

A modular cleaning system is disclosed herein, in a preferredembodiment, comprising: a modular cleaning assembly having a rod with aproximate end, a distal end, an outer surface, a length and an innervolume, a telescopic member, a cleaning-assembly having afirst-cleaning-member, and a second-cleaning-member, and a manipulatingassembly. The modular cleaning system, as such, comprises the modularcleaning assembly. The modular cleaning assembly comprises the rod, thetelescopic member, the cleaning-assembly, and the manipulating assemblyin functional combination.

The rod is defined by the proximate end, the distal end, the length, theouter surface, and the inner volume. The rod of the outer surfacecomprises a tubular profile. The rod is non-flexible such that thetelescopic member is able to freely and reliably travel along a lowerportion of the length within the inner volume. The distal end comprisesan aperture for the telescopic member to extend outwardly therefrom whenthe manipulating assembly is adjusted in relation to the inner volume ofthe rod, the second-cleaning-member attached to the telescopic member,the second-cleaning-member not able to retract within the inner volume.

The inner volume of the rod comprises a housing for substantiallysupporting the telescopic member in relation to the rod. The innervolume is formed as a periphery about the telescopic member, the outersurface surrounding and forming the inner volume. The cleaning-assemblycomprises the first-cleaning-member and the second-cleaning-member infunctional combination. The first-cleaning-member and thesecond-cleaning-member are not used simultaneously. Thefirst-cleaning-member comprises a broom with bristles suitable for sweepcleaning surfaces. The second-cleaning-member comprises a spongesuitable for scrubbing while cleaning the surfaces. The sponge comprisespores and channels allowing water to circulate through them. Thesecond-cleaning-member comprises abrasives for scrub-cleaning thesurfaces. The second-cleaning-member comprises abrasives forscrub-cleaning of wet the surfaces. The bristles are structured andarranged for cleaning of dry the surfaces.

The manipulating assembly further comprises a lever for allowingmanipulation up and down during use of the first-cleaning-member andalternately the second-cleaning-member. The manipulating assemblycomprises at least one spring. The spring is used to store mechanicalenergy. The lever is able to manipulate the spring between extended andretracted positions. The telescopic member is able to be moved by themanipulating assembly, the telescopic member able to traverse inrelation to the inner volume of the rod between extended and retractedpositions. The first-cleaning-member is able to be moved in relation tothe second-cleaning-member via the manipulating assembly such thatalternate use of the first-cleaning-member and thesecond-cleaning-member is enabled. The first-cleaning-member is fixedand occupies a position outside of the second-cleaning-member, thesecond-cleaning-member able to be moved into and out of thefirst-cleaning-member for use. The modular cleaning system is structuredand arranged to provide a multi-functional means by which to clean thesurfaces. Certain embodiments may comprise the second-cleaning-memberbeing mounted external as a retro-fit to the first-cleaning-member as aside mount.

A kit is also disclosed including: the modular cleaning assembly, thefirst-cleaning-member, the second-cleaning-member which is removablyreplaceable with another the second-cleaning-member, and a set ofuser-instructions.

A method of using a modular cleaning system is described hereincomprising the steps of: holding a rod of a modular cleaning assembly,and manipulating a lever of the modular cleaning assembly to operate afirst-cleaning-member to sweep and alternatively asecond-cleaning-member to scrub for cleaning at least one surface. Themethod further comprises the steps of: extending and retracting thesecond-cleaning-member while the first-cleaning-member is fixed inrelation to the rod.

The present invention holds significant improvements and serves as amodular cleaning system. For purposes of summarizing the invention,certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention havebeen described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily allsuch advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particularembodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied orcarried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage orgroup of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving otheradvantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of theinvention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed outand distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification.These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdrawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specificationillustrate embodiments and method(s) of use for the present invention,modular cleaning system, constructed and operative according to theteachings of the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view illustrating a modular cleaning systemduring an ‘in-use’ condition according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view illustrating the modular cleaning systemcomprising a telescopic member according to an embodiment of the presentinvention of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2B is a perspective view illustrating the modular cleaning systemaccording to another embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view illustrating modular cleaning systemcomprising a rod, the telescopic member, a lever and a sponge accordingto an embodiment of the present invention of FIGS. 1-2B.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a kit for the modular cleaningsystem according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of use for the modularcleaning system according to an embodiment of the present invention ofFIGS. 1-4.

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter bedescribed in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein likedesignations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to acleaning device and more particularly to a modular cleaning system asused to improve the use of mops and brooms during cleaning.

Generally speaking, the present invention is a convenient way to combinea sponge to brooms and mops. The sponge may easily attach and detachfrom one broom or mop to another. The modular cleaning system for broomand mops allow a user to lower a connected sponge when desired. Aplastic handle allows a user to lower and lift the sponge. The plastichandle is to be an add-on component and therefore not permanentlyconnected to the stick, but rather can be connected and disconnectedsecurely. Modular cleaning system allows users to avoid carrying both amop or broom and sponge. The modular cleaning system also eliminates theneed for users to bend down and scrub the floor. The device is also ableto work with a vacuum as an attachment on the front. The levered ortelescopic device extends from the front of the vacuum in so-equippedembodiments.

Referring to the drawings by numerals of reference there is shown inFIGS. 1-4, modular cleaning system 100 comprising: modular cleaningassembly 110 comprising rod 114 having proximate end 116, distal end118, outer surface 120, and inner volume 122, telescopic member 130, andcleaning-assembly 154 having first-cleaning-member 156,second-cleaning-member 160, and manipulating assembly 170. Modularcleaning system 100 comprises modular cleaning assembly 110. Modularcleaning assembly 110 comprises rod 114, telescopic member 130,cleaning-assembly 154, and manipulating assembly 170 in functionalcombination.

Rod 114 is defined by proximate end 116, distal end 118, outer surface120, and inner volume 122. Cleaning-assembly 154 comprisesfirst-cleaning-member 156 and second-cleaning-member 160 in functionalcombination. Manipulating assembly 170 comprises lever 172 for allowingmanipulation during use of first-cleaning-member 156 and alternatelysecond-cleaning-member 160. Telescopic member 130 is able to be moved bymanipulating assembly 170; telescopic member 130 able to traverse inrelation to inner volume 122 of rod 114 between extended and retractedpositions.

First-cleaning-member 156 is able to be moved in relation tosecond-cleaning-member 160 via manipulating assembly 170 such thatalternate use of first-cleaning-member 156 and second-cleaning-member isenabled 160. First-cleaning-member 156 is fixed and occupies a positionoutside of second-cleaning-member 160. Second-cleaning-member 160 ableto be moved into and out of first-cleaning-member 156 for desired use.Modular cleaning system 100 is structured and arranged to provide amulti-functional means by which to clean surfaces. First-cleaning-member156 comprises a broom 158 with bristles suitable for sweep cleaningsurfaces. Second-cleaning-member 160 comprises sponge 162 suitable forscrubbing while cleaning surfaces.

Distal end 118 comprises an aperture for telescopic member 130 to extendoutwardly when manipulating assembly 170 is adjusted in relation toinner volume 122 of rod 114. Inner volume 122 of rod 114 comprises ahousing for substantially supporting telescopic member 130 in relationto rod 114. Manipulating assembly 170 preferably comprises at least onespring 174. Spring 174 is used to store mechanical energy. Lever 172 isable to manipulate spring 174 between extended and retracted positions.First-cleaning-member 156 and second-cleaning-member 160 are not usedsimultaneously. Second-cleaning-member 160 comprises pores and channelsallowing water to circulate through them. Second-cleaning-member 160comprises abrasives for scrub-cleaning surfaces. Bristles are structuredand arranged for cleaning of dry the surfaces. Rod 114 of outer surface120 comprises a tubular profile. Inner volume 122 is formed as aperiphery about telescopic member 130; outer surface 120 surrounding andforming inner volume. Rod is non-flexible such that the telescopicmember is able to freely and reliably travel within the inner volume122.

Modular cleaning system 100 may be sold as kit 440 comprising thefollowing parts: at least one modular cleaning assembly 110 at least onefirst-cleaning-member 156; at least one second-cleaning-member 160; andat least one set of user instructions. The kit has instructions suchthat functional relationships are detailed in relation to the structureof the invention (such that the invention can be used, maintained, orthe like in a preferred manner). Modular cleaning system 100 may bemanufactured and provided for sale in a wide variety of sizes and shapesfor a wide assortment of applications. Upon reading this specification,it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances,considering such issues as design preference, user preferences,marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, availablematerials, technological advances, etc., other kit contents orarrangements such as, for example, including more or less components,customized parts, different cleaning combinations, parts may be soldseparately, etc., may be sufficient.

Referring now to FIG. 5 showing flowchart 550 illustrating method of use500 for modular cleaning system 100 according to an embodiment of thepresent invention of FIGS. 1-4. As shown, method of use 500 may comprisethe steps of: step one 501, holding rod 114 of modular cleaning assembly110; step two 502, manipulating lever 172 of modular cleaning assembly110 to operate first-cleaning-member 156 to sweep and alternativelysecond-cleaning-member 160 to scrub for cleaning at least one surface;and step three 503, extending and retracting the second-cleaning-member160 while the first-cleaning-member is fixed in relation to rod 114.

It should be noted that step three 503, is an optional step and may notbe implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method of use 500 areillustrated using dotted lines in FIG. 5 so as to distinguish them fromthe other steps of method of use 500.

It should be noted that the steps described in the method of use can becarried out in many different orders according to user preference. Theuse of “step of” should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claimsherein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, ¶6. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, underappropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference,user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements,available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods of usearrangements such as, for example, different orders withinabove-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps,including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc., may besufficient.

The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary andnumerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readilyenvisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which areintended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention.Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S.Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially thescientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiarwith patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from acursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure ofthe application.

What is claimed is new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent isset forth in the appended claims:
 1. A modular cleaning systemcomprising: a modular cleaning assembly comprising; a rod having; aproximate end; a distal end; an outer surface; and an inner volume; atelescopic member; a cleaning-assembly having; a first-cleaning-member;a second-cleaning-member; and a manipulating assembly; wherein saidmodular cleaning system comprises said modular cleaning assembly;wherein said modular cleaning assembly comprises said rod, saidtelescopic member, said cleaning-assembly, and said manipulatingassembly in functional combination; wherein said rod is defined by saidproximate end, said distal end, said outer surface, and said innervolume; wherein said cleaning-assembly comprises saidfirst-cleaning-member and said second-cleaning-member in functionalcombination; wherein said manipulating assembly comprises a lever forallowing manipulation during use of said first-cleaning-member andalternately said second-cleaning-member; wherein said telescopic memberis able to be moved by said manipulating assembly, said telescopicmember able to traverse in relation to said inner volume of said rodbetween extended and retracted positions; wherein saidfirst-cleaning-member is able to be moved in relation to saidsecond-cleaning-member via said manipulating assembly such thatalternate use of said first-cleaning-member and saidsecond-cleaning-member is enabled; wherein said first-cleaning-member isfixed and occupies a position outside of said second-cleaning-member,said second-cleaning-member able to be moved into and out of saidfirst-cleaning-member for use; and wherein said modular cleaning systemis structured and arranged to provide a multi-functional means by whichto clean surfaces.
 2. The modular cleaning system of claim 1 whereinsaid first-cleaning-member comprises a broom with bristles suitable forsweep cleaning said surfaces.
 3. The modular cleaning system of claim 1wherein said second-cleaning-member comprises a sponge suitable forscrubbing while cleaning said surfaces.
 4. The modular cleaning systemof claim 1 wherein said distal end comprises an aperture for saidtelescopic member to extend outwardly when said manipulating assembly isadjusted in relation to said inner volume of said rod.
 5. The modularcleaning system of claim 1 wherein said inner volume of said rodcomprises a housing for substantially supporting said telescopic memberin relation to said rod.
 6. The modular cleaning system of claim 1wherein said manipulating assembly comprises at least one spring.
 7. Themodular cleaning system of claim 6 wherein said spring is used to storemechanical energy.
 8. The modular cleaning system of claim 7 whereinsaid lever is able to manipulate said spring between extended andretracted positions.
 9. The modular cleaning system of claim 1 whereinsaid first-cleaning-member and said second-cleaning-member are not usedsimultaneously.
 10. The modular cleaning system of claim 1 wherein saidsecond-cleaning-member comprises pores and channels allowing water tocirculate through them.
 11. The modular cleaning system of claim 10wherein said second-cleaning-member comprises abrasives forscrub-cleaning said surfaces.
 12. The modular cleaning system of claim11 wherein said second-cleaning-member comprises abrasives forscrub-cleaning of wet said surfaces.
 13. The modular cleaning system ofclaim 2 wherein said bristles are structured and arranged for cleaningof dry said surfaces.
 14. The modular cleaning system of claim 1 whereinsaid rod of said outer surface comprises a tubular profile.
 15. Themodular cleaning system of claim 14 wherein said inner volume is formedas a periphery about said telescopic member, said outer surfacesurrounding and forming said inner volume.
 16. The modular cleaningsystem of claim 1 wherein said rod is non-flexible such that saidtelescopic member is able to freely and reliably travel within saidinner volume.
 17. A modular cleaning system comprising: a modularcleaning assembly comprising; a rod having; a proximate end; a distalend; an outer surface; and a length; an inner volume; a telescopicmember; a cleaning-assembly having; a first-cleaning-member; asecond-cleaning-member; and a manipulating assembly; wherein saidmodular cleaning system comprises said modular cleaning assembly;wherein said modular cleaning assembly comprises said rod, saidtelescopic member, said cleaning-assembly, and said manipulatingassembly in functional combination; wherein said rod is defined by saidproximate end, said distal end, said length, said outer surface, andsaid inner volume; wherein said rod of said outer surface comprises atubular profile; wherein said rod is non-flexible such that saidtelescopic member is able to freely and reliably travel along a lowerportion of said length within said inner volume; wherein said distal endcomprises an aperture for said telescopic member to extend outwardlytherefrom when said manipulating assembly is adjusted in relation tosaid inner volume of said rod, said second-cleaning-member attached tosaid telescopic member, said second-cleaning-member not able to retractwithin said inner volume; wherein said inner volume of said rodcomprises a housing for substantially supporting said telescopic memberin relation to said rod; wherein said inner volume is formed as aperiphery about said telescopic member, said outer surface surroundingand forming said inner volume; wherein said cleaning-assembly comprisessaid first-cleaning-member and said second-cleaning-member in functionalcombination; wherein said first-cleaning-member and saidsecond-cleaning-member are not used simultaneously; wherein saidfirst-cleaning-member comprises a broom with bristles suitable for sweepcleaning surfaces; wherein said second-cleaning-member comprises asponge suitable for scrubbing while cleaning said surfaces; wherein saidsponge comprises pores and channels allowing water to circulate throughthem; wherein said second-cleaning-member comprises abrasives forscrub-cleaning said surfaces; wherein said second-cleaning-membercomprises abrasives for scrub-cleaning of wet said surfaces; whereinsaid bristles are structured and arranged for cleaning of dry saidsurfaces; wherein said manipulating assembly further comprises a leverfor allowing manipulation up and down during use of saidfirst-cleaning-member and alternately said second-cleaning-member;wherein said manipulating assembly comprises at least one spring;wherein said spring is used to store mechanical energy; wherein saidlever is able to manipulate said spring between extended and retractedpositions; wherein said telescopic member is able to be moved by saidmanipulating assembly, said telescopic member able to traverse inrelation to said inner volume of said rod between extended and retractedpositions; wherein said first-cleaning-member is able to be moved inrelation to said second-cleaning-member via said manipulating assemblysuch that alternate use of said first-cleaning-member and saidsecond-cleaning-member is enabled; wherein said first-cleaning-member isfixed and occupies a position outside of said second-cleaning-member,said second-cleaning-member able to be moved into and out of saidfirst-cleaning-member for use; and wherein said modular cleaning systemis structured and arranged to provide a multi-functional means by whichto clean said surfaces.
 18. The modular cleaning system of claim 17further comprising a kit including: said modular cleaning assembly; saidfirst-cleaning-member; said second-cleaning-member which is removablyreplaceable with another said second-cleaning-member; and a set ofuser-instructions.
 19. A method of using a modular cleaning systemcomprising the steps of: holding a rod of a modular cleaning assembly;and manipulating a lever of said modular cleaning assembly to operate afirst-cleaning-member to sweep and alternatively asecond-cleaning-member to scrub for cleaning at least one surface. 20.The method of claim 19 further comprising the steps of: extending andretracting said second-cleaning-member while said first-cleaning-memberis fixed in relation to said rod.